"Celery Ellen" is the nickname I was given by my father as a child, a play on Sara Ellen, my given name. Checking on the numerology of
Celery Ellen Heath, I discovered it describes a person who needs freedom "like a bird needs its wings."
Wherever the adventurous mind flies, it will return here to nest and share.

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Bio

Ellen Heath lives and writes in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her career in communications has included experience as a congressional aide, corporate speechwriter, government relations and public affairs specialist, and freelance writer. She is the author of Lizard Diary, a memoir of an experience with shamanism, and The Inheritance, a novel that was published in 2012. She has a B.A. degree in English from Stanford University

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Holiday Greetings

Posted December 24th, 2012

I hope that 2013 will be a wonderful year for each of you.

Time to take a break from all that is serious—and maybe make some mouse cookies.

That’s one of the things my sister, Kate, and I did to note the solstice, December 21. I will have more to write about this subject later; but for now, I just want to share a few things about a very pleasant weekend.

First of all, and on a country walk with Kate and her chocolate lab, Suzie, I reached the decision to cut my hair. Does this really matter to you? I’m not sure. But my photo on this blog will have to change at the beginning of the year, and the sight could be unsettling amid all the other turmoil in the world. I thought I should attach a memorial photo of my doomed hair taken on a rest-stop with Suzie.

I especially like the picture because it reminds me of all the years of wonderful walks in nature with my dog, Cassie. A beautiful white Samoyed, she died two years ago at age 14. She was in some ways my greatest teacher, and I will soon publish in e-book format a memoir about the important role she played in my life. The title of the book will be Walking with Cassie.

The third thing I would like to share is the recipe for “Mice Cookies,” which I found in The New Mexican. Kate and I made them this weekend among all the things we did to enjoy a relaxed, good time. I can’t speak for Kate, but the effort appealed to my inner child and would be a wonderful project to share with our distant nieces and nephews someday. They are very tasty, the ears of almonds, the eyes of mini chocolate chips.

And finally I would like to convey a twofold message: my hope that you will all have a wonderful holiday season and my gratitude for your interest in my blog. I really enjoy the sense of companionship with other minds, and I love getting your comments whether through the blog or by email. I hope that 2013 will be a wonderful year for each of you. I am sure from the very depths of my being that it will be at the very least–interesting.

Ellen

MICE COOKIES

(Makes 36 cookies)

11 T unsalted butter (5 ½ oz)

2/3 C sugar

¼ t salt

1t vanilla extract

1 large egg yolk

2 cups flour

Heavy whipping cream as needed

Sliced almonds

Chow mein noodles

Chocolate mini-chips or currants

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in salt and vanilla extract. Reduce speed to low and beat in the egg yolk. Add the flour ½ cup at a time.

The dough should be slightly dry but not fall apart, so add the whipping cream, one tablespoon at a time, so that the consistency is workable. Scoop the dough by the tablespoon and shape the mouse body with a pointy nose and round rear. Insert almond slices for ears, chow mein noodles for tails, and chocolate chips for eyes.

Bake one sheet at a time for 15 to 20 minutes or until the mice are slightly browned. Transfer to wire rack and cool.

4 Responses to “Holiday Greetings”

As I go back and read some of your previous blogs, I remain so in awe of your writing talent and unequal sense of humor. My great fortune was to see you this year and as someone mentioned your shorter hair looked good & you do look elegant.
I am anxious to try these cookies. Wish I had one of my Sisters nearby to join in making them with me. Perhaps my best friend will step in and we can do them.
Will continue to go through your terrific site and enjoy your blogs.
Your friend,
Maggie

Hello my dear friend,
I can’t wait to try the cookies with my daughters before the work week begins again!
My most wonderful gift, of course, is that ALL my kids are here: Kate and Amanda live here and Megan has been here since last May and will be leaving in mid-January, and Zane came last week from Austin and is leaving today. All their significant others are here, too!
Of course all their pets ate here, too! We spent time walking the pets and talking and catching up on news.
I envision a lovely, beautiful, productive year for all of us.

I can’t wait to see your hair! I quite liked it shorter -when we first met. You will look elegant no matter its length!

Those cookies are adorable! We loved our fruitcake; you and Kate are master bakers. I am looking forward to a photo of the new hairdo. Just how much are you cutting off? Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013.